Happy Thursday TARTans,
I don't know about you but these past few weeks have been kind of crazy. Or maybe it's the culmination of the past few months? I can't put my finger on it but it's only something we've come to call the August crush. Maybe it's the need we feel to cram in all the summer we can as we start to get closer to September and like waves on a beach, they just keep crashing before I can catch a break. Kids are starting back to school sports, friends and family are trying to squeeze in as many summer visits as possible and you can't help but think about all that you meant to do and try to cross off some of those summer "musts" on your list. Add to the mix a town flush with lots of people enjoying limited spaces and that crush can start to feel overwhelming. So, what to do? Breathe and smile. It's a powerful combination. Take an early morning run with a friend and soak up the sunrise. End your walk in the woods as dusk falls. Watch your kids play in the backyard and remember what it was like to do that very thing. And maybe just be okay that your list won't all get checked off now, but thankfully we have months ahead of us to enjoy what so many are seeking for a week or two right now. So I hope you catch the wave and ride it out. 

With gratitude,

Julie Clark, Executive Director

NEWS TO KNOW

Shady Lane Trailhead Open!
We have a new trailhead ready for the weekend fun ahead. The new Leelanau Trail parking area at Shady Lane Road includes a paved 9-car and 1-handicap space parking area. You'll find new trail around the parking area, storm water retention, and signage. With safety in mind, this parking area will help provide safer loading/unloading. It also helps to increase visibility of the trail and road intersection. Thank you for your patience as we worked to bring this new trailhead to life. 

Time for New Skillz 
Ready to try out a jump line for the first time or looking to challenge and sharpen your skills? We are excited to announce that NMMBA and TART Trails hired TrailSense to construct additional jump lines at the Vasa Bike Park. A new intermediate and beginner jump line complements the existing trails to provide skill building opportunities for both new and experienced riders. The new trails and features are open now and waiting for you! 
 

Three Mile Trail Extension Design Approved
The new trail plans for the Three Mile Trail Extension were unanimously approved by East Bay Township Board of Trustees on Aug. 9th. This long-awaited trail will utilize the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy's beautiful Mitchell Creek Meadows Preserve property and connect the TART network to businesses, public lands, schools and neighborhoods in East Bay Township. This project would not be possible without the incredible project partners at Norte, Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, East Bay Township in addition to many stakeholders who have supported conceptual planning efforts since they were launched in 2020. More project info here. Thank you to all involved. Stay tuned as we work with partners to keep plans moving forward.

Glen Arbor Open House Tonight
Glen Arbor Township will be hosting a public open house this evening August 19th from 7:00 – 8:30 PM to share information and gather community input on a proposed M-22 connector route for the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail. The community event is part of the preliminary design process for the proposed Glen Arbor connector trail between S. Forest Haven Drive and the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail where it connects to the Homestead off of Westman Road. Residents are encouraged to attend to learn about the preliminary design process from project partners and design consultants and provide input on the draft routing. The open house will be held at the Glen Arbor Township Hall, 6394 W. Western Ave, Glen Arbor.

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT
Dave Monstrey and Kathy Heil



Dave Monstrey and Kathy Heil are an integral part of TART Trails. Dave was instrumental in the creation of the Leelanau Trail and plays a major role in the maintenance and growth of the trail to this day. Dave was the founder and first and only President of the Leelanau Trail Association. Dave, along with a core group of Leelanau citizens, negotiated the purchase of the railway corridor that would become the Leelanau Trail. 

Furthering their mission of making trails possible, Kathy provides volunteer support for many of TART Trails’ events. She works tirelessly to ensure things run smoothly and participants enjoy their day. Together Dave and Kathy have contributed many thousands of hours of volunteer time to trail growth, maintenance and promotion of the trail network. They have also been Sustainers Circle donors for 23 years. We thank them for their dedication to supporting community connections in the past, present and future.
 

SPECIAL THANKS

This spring Team Elmer’s wrapped up their reconstruction work on the section of the TART between Three Mile and Airport Access roads. In June, Bob Dompierre of Dompierre Designs, with a talented team of volunteers, installed "Take Flight" an inspirational landscaping along the trail. Still to come this year are a sculpture installation by Frankfort artist Steve Kline, along with cherry trees contributed by the National Cherry Festival. Last week community members and project partners met for a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate this milestone. The new trail section is open for a smooth ride, run or roll.

THANK YOU AMBASSADORS


It's been a busy few days after the storms from last week. A big thank you to Jim Dumbrowski and Mike Brown for clearing the Vasa Pathway,  as well as Paul Johnson and Paul Deyo for working on the TART. Enoch Flaugher and crew were hard at work clearing the Boardman Lake Trail. Our ever present Leelanau Trail Crew spent much time clearing downed trees on the Leelanau Trail. Huge thanks to all our Trail Ambassadors and partners for their incredible dedication to keeping our trails safe and sound.

EVENTS AROUND THE BEND

TART TIPS

 
With trails for every ability level, be sure to try out the VASA Bike Park this weekend!